Bosses blast Labor on arbitration – The Fin; $30bn LNG plant in doubt – The Aus; Ripper draws battle lines over uranium – The West; Rio chief warns on Pilbara pay – The West; African sale likely for Cape Lambert – The Aus
Bosses blast Labor on arbitration
Employers have vowed to fight a Labor Party push to expand the scope for wage bargaining rounds to be decided through arbitration, saying it would encourage unions to hold out for higher pay and conditions. The Fin
$30bn LNG plant in doubt
Woodside Petroleum’s plans to build the $30 billion-plus Browse liquefied natural gas plant near Broome appear to have become less appealing against the alternative of piping the gas 1000km for processing at the North West Shelf plant near Karratha when reserves there run low. The Aus
Ripper draws battle lines over uranium
Eric Ripper has put uranium miners on notice, vowing that a returned Labor state government would stop their WA projects from going ahead, however advanced. The West
Rio chief warns on Pilbara pay
Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has added fuel to Premier Colin Barnett's claim last week that industrial action in the resources sector was increasingly based on “trivial issues”, declaring yesterday his Australian workforce was paid twice as much as employees in the US. The West
African sale likely for Cape Lambert
Cape Lambert Resources managing director Tony Sage says the company is making headway on a possible $500 million sale of its Marampa iron ore project in Sierra Leone, with a data room attracting healthy interest from Chinese and other companies. The Aus
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Eric Ripper has put uranium miners on notice, vowing that a returned Labor state government would stop their WA projects from going ahead, however advanced.
Page 4: State-owned electricity retailer Synergy is facing losses estimated at up to $5 million after inadvertently failing to charge local councils the right amount for streetlighting.
Page 7: A secret Labor Party report has criticised the government led by Kevin Rudd as lacking purpose and being driven by spin and implies that the former prime minister or his supporters were behind the leaks that almost destroyed Julia Gillard's election campaign.
Page 9: The Fire and Emergency Services Authority has warned that big areas of the South West are underprepared for fire as firefighters battle blazes across the state.
Page 13: The dire state of Perth's biggest source of drinking water, the Gnangara mound, has been highlighted in a report showing water levels in more than half its monitoring wells fell below acceptable levels.
Page 14: Most major retailers do not bother trading until 9pm on weeknights, a year after the extended shopping hours were introduced, leaving customers confused about when they can shop.
Page 16: The head of WA's waste advisory body has accused the state government of mishandling the contentious landfill levy, saying it was leading to a waste management crisis.
Business: Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has added fuel to Premier Colin Barnett's claim last week that industrial action in the resources sector was increasingly based on “trivial issues”, declaring yesterday his Australian workforce was paid twice as much as employees in the US.
The euro project was flawed from the start and the current generation of European leaders has failed to address its fundamental problems, the architect of the single currency has declared.
Crowe Horwath Perth chief executive Geoff Kidd, one of the two WA accountants caught up in the federal coalition's 2010 election policies costing debacle, has broken his silence over an industry tribunal's findings that he breached professional standards.
The European Central Bank is expected to cut key interest rates for the second time in two months this week as part of efforts to deal with the continent's debt crisis.
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW:
Page 1: Employers have vowed to fight a Labor Party push to expand the scope for wage bargaining rounds to be decided through arbitration, saying it would encourage unions to hold out for higher pay and conditions.
A group of US hedge funds holds the key to Nine Entertainment Co's $3.7 billion debt dilemma as the company's private equity owner approaches a significant deadline on a proposal to extend the loans.
Prospects of a breakthrough at global climate talks in Durban this week are dwindling as new research shows more carbon emissions than ever were pumped into the atmosphere last year.
A deal to staunch the euro zone's festering debt crisis is taking shape, with the rescue plan to be at the heart of a series of key meetings this week.
Page 5: The federal government is turning up the pressure on banks to pass on interest rate cuts ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's meeting tomorrow.
Page 6: Prime Minister Julia Gillard was able to prevail at Labor's conference to overturn a party ban on uranium exports to India which was opposed by cabinet ministers from the Left and Right factions.
Page 8: Transport unions have secured changes to Labor's policy platform to use Commonwealth legislation to tighten requirements on Qantas and its Jetstar subsidiary to keep their core operations in Australia and not to send jobs offshore.
Page 10: State and federal tourism bodies have spent $5 billion in taxpayer funds marketing their own part of the world to Australia and the rest of the world over the past decade, but travel executives say the money is being wasted by pitting the Bungle Bungles against the Big Banana and the Grampians against the Great Ocean Road.
Page 11: The boss of one of the world's biggest mining companies has warned that a further reduction in productivity in Australia would put at risk investment in lower-margin businesses, just as the Labor government has embraced tougher industrial relations principles.
Page 15: The chief executive of equipment rental group National Hire has defended his decision to exercise options and sell them into Seven Group's takeover offer after initially saying he wouldn't.
Page 16: Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese expects the floor price of iron ore to fall below $US120 a tonne as new supply comes onto the market from expansion projects around the world.
Page 19: Gold's status as a safe-haven investment amid the European debt crisis has come under fire in recent weeks, but co-ordinated action by some of the world's major central banks may be a catalyst for the gold price to climb higher and post new record highs.
Page 40: Seven West Media's television network has secured a 5 per cent advertising rate increase for 2012, while the weak performance of the Nine and Ten Network's main channels this year means they will enter next year with flat ad rates.
Page 49: Prominent businesswoman Marilynne Paspaley says stalled negotiations over lease and development agreements were the key reasons for pulling out of a hotel development on Western Australia's Rottnest Island.
THE AUSTRALIAN:
Page 1: Labor's approval of gay marriage has sparked a pulpit-led revolt and accusations that Julia Gillard has breached an election promise to protect the Marriage Act.
Page 2: West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has refused to broaden the terms of an inquiry into the Margaret River fire that destroyed 41 properties 12 days ago, to include another big fire at the weekend that also began as a prescribed burn.
Page 4: China has stepped up its carbon cuts diplomacy in Durban but as government leaders arrive for the final week of negotiations the prospects of a global deal to combat climate change appear to be as far away as ever.
The dampening impact of the global financial crisis on world carbon dioxide emissions has been short-lived, according to an annual survey published today by the scientific journal Nature.
Page 6: Kevin Rudd has blasted Labor’s factional warlords for blocking reforms that would have increased the power of the party rank and file, warning that Julia Gillard’s push for reform had ‘‘barely moved at all’’.
Page 7: Labor's national conference has given Julia Gillard the green light to sell uranium to India after an acrimonious debate that split her cabinet and saw her decision directly challenged by delegates.
Labor has backed union calls to strengthen the Qantas Sales Act, as union officials used the party’s national conference to mount a series of attacks on the airline’s management.
Page 8: The government will conduct an independent inquiry into Australia’s refugee selection system and will consider changing the law to allow asylum-seekers who have been refused visas on security grounds to access the sensitive material used to ban them.
Business: Woodside Petroleum’s plans to build the $30 billion-plus Browse liquefied natural gas plant near Broome appear to have become less appealing against the alternative of piping the gas 1000km for processing at the North West Shelf plant near Karratha when reserves there run low.
Political leaders will intensify efforts to save the eurozone this week, as economists remain split on whether the Reserve Bank will cut official interest rates tomorrow for the second consecutive month.
Cape Lambert Resources managing director Tony Sage says the company is making headway on a possible $500 million sale of its Marampa iron ore project in Sierra Leone, with a data room attracting healthy interest from Chinese and other companies.
Rio Tinto expects a volatile environment and big swings in commodity prices next year, although China should continue to grow at a healthy rate of 8 per cent or more.
Chinese-backed oil and gas junior Exoma Energy is gearing up for an announcement today that it has made a 50 million barrel oil discovery at its onshore Katherine prospect near Longreach, despite a recent botched exploration well.
Property investors have rushed back to the housing market, with Australia’s biggest mortgage broker, AFG, processing $2.9 billion worth of mortgages last month — up 18.4 per cent on October.
Wine Australia is considering moving out of its upscale London and New York offices in a bid to cut costs.
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Page 1: A secret Labor Party report has criticised the government led by Kevin Rudd as lacking purpose and being driven by spin and implies that the former prime minister or his supporters were behind the leaks that almost destroyed Julia Gillard's election campaign.
Page 2: China almost totally suppressed Chinese media reporting of WikiLeaks' publication of leaked US diplomatic cables but did allow critical commentary directed against Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, Australian embassy cables reveal.
Page 3: The effect of the global financial crisis on reducing carbon dioxide emissions was short-lived, with emissions quickly rebounding to a record level.
World: Undercover US narcotics agents have laundered or smuggled millions of dollars in drug proceeds as part of Washington's expanding role in Mexico's fight against drug cartels, say current and former federal law enforcement officials.
Business: The European Central Bank is expected to cut its key interest rates for the second time in two months this week as European Union leaders battle to find a solution to their debt crisis.
Sport: Sydney Roar: Inspired Sky Blues bring an end to Brisbane's incredible record-breaking streak.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Page 1: A citizen's jury that will decide what infrastructure projects should be built and how they should be funded will be set up by Infrastructure NSW chairman Nick Greiner in a direct challenge to the cautious path taken by the O'Farrell government.
Page 2: Banks have taken the unprecedented step of launching a website calling on financially stressed homeowners to negotiate "hardship" packages to avoid default on their mortgages.
Page 3: Relatives of the Lin family have accused the state government's Trustee of heavy-handed tactics in closing the murdered family's newsagency, which they say will jeopardise their financial future.
World: A British soldier has been jailed for 18 months for bayoneting a 10-year-old boy in Afghanistan.
Business: Convictions for tax cheating have jumped 20 per cent during the past year, as the Australian Taxation Office continues its hard line on taking court action.
Sport: The longest unbeaten run in Australian professional football is over after Sydney FC beat Brisbane Roar.
THE AGE:
Page 1: International survey finds carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels growing at a record rate.
Gillard government to seek agreement with India to sell uranium in the new year. Bali boy on his way home and schoolmates ready to give him a warm welcome.
From backyard cricket to sensational debut for James Pattinson.
Page 2: David Beckham flies in for Galaxy match against Melbourne Victory.
Page 3: Chinese government suppressed WikiLeaks report of leaked US cables but let go criticism of Kevin Rudd.
Aborigines say proposed $30 billion gas hub in WA's Kimberley coast would disturb sacred sites. State government to continue funding free legal website.
Elderly South African couple face deportation because one failed a medical test.
World: Accusations of sexual misconduct ends presidential race for Republican Herman Cain.
Business: European Central Bank expected to cut its key interest rate for second time in two months.
Sport: Australia has another new speed demon after James Pattinson destroys NZ with five wicket haul.
THE HERALD SUN:
Page 1: James Pattinson newest star of cricket with five wickets in debut against NZ. Sentencing survey reveals Victorians want stiffer penalties for serious crimes.
Page 2: Bali boy due home today after being released from detention.
Page 3: Consumer watchdog wants online dating agencies to tighten up the way they monitor members. Nine-year-old killed by motorbike was protecting his brother.
World: Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain's campaign folds under toll of allegations of sexual harassment and adultery.
Finance: Rio Tinto confident Canada will allow it to be main operator of Hathor uranium mine.
Sport: Pattinson youngest since Steve Waugh 25 years ago to take five wickets on home soil.
THE CANBERRA TIMES:
Page 1: India set to buy nation's uranium.
Page 2: Police kept busy in city crackdown.
Page 3: Setback in Tradies Group's bid to buy site at Dickson.
World: Slovenian PM faces loss.
Business: Data will show our strengths: Wayne Swan. GDP growth, rates in limelight as eurozone fears continue to build.
Sport: Australian cricket team back in the fast lane after Test win over New Zealand in Brisbane.
THE COURIER MAIL:
Page 1: Police estimate four in every five children online have been targeted by predators trawling internet games and school websites.
Page 3: Nurses are caring for as many as 100 nursing home patients at a time, their union says.
World: Former Republican house speaker Newt Gingrich is now the favourite to win the Iowa presidential caucuses following the exit of former frontrunner Herman Cain.
Business: A Westpac business sentiment index for the Courier Mail found only 52 per cent of Queensland businesses viewed their performance as good or very good in September.
Sport: Australia's new fast bowling golden boy James Pattinson took 5-27 to smash New Zealand in their second innings.
THE ADELAIDE ADVERTISER:
Page 1: The chronic shortage of rural doctors is set to worsen.
Page 3: Rising electricity prices will threaten the lives of pensioners this summer.
World: Herman Cain suspended his bid for the Republican US presidential nomination.
Business: The Reserve Bank's interest rate decision will be lineball.
Sport: Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has arrived as a Test force after taking five wickets against New Zealand.
